I don't see the sense in putting ourselves on trial over these questionsHerve Morin, Defence Minister

Ivory Coast was represented by a government minister, but did not take part in the march-past.

The International Federation of Human Rights Leagues (FIDH), an umbrella group for human rights organisations around the world, wrote to President Sarkozy to say it was "seriously concerned that certain countries' delegations... may contain people responsible for grave human rights violations."

The letter added: "It would be no small paradox that during a celebration of the values of the Republic, these values should be flouted by the presence of torturers, dictators and other predators of human rights, and that instead of pursuing them, France honours them."

'International penury'

Danyel Dubreuil, of campaign group Survie, said he was concerned soldiers who had been part of the Cobra militia in the civil war in Congo-Brazzaville - in which thousands of civilians were killed - were taking part in the parade.

Image caption
Bastille Day is a national holiday in France

A Gabonese activist, Marc Ona, compared African leaders at the parade to "colonial governors who find themselves together with chief colonialist Nicolas Sarkozy to celebrate keeping Africa in international penury".

However, Mr Sarkozy has strenuously denied being guilty of "colonial nostalgia", and said the African troops who attended the parade were a testament to the "strength of the ties" that united France and its former colonies.

Defence Minister Herve Morin told France Info radio that France had no indication that war criminals were present among the African units.

"These are countries with whom we have relations, partnerships. I don't see the sense in putting ourselves on trial over these questions," he said.

The storming of the Bastille in 1789 is viewed symbolically as the birth of the modern French republic.

In recent times, it has become customary to invite foreign units to march in the parade - in 2004, British troops led the parade to mark the centenary of the Entente Cordiale.